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There are only a few hours left to traverse the city unencumbered today. At 4 p.m. the Fremont Street Experience will be closed off, then reopened at 6. At 5 p.m., I-15 ramps between Tropicana and Spring Mtn. will be closed. Around 6 p.m., the Strip will begin being closed. At 6:45, the moving walkways, elevators, and escalators on the Strip will be closed and pedestrians will be granted access. Travel will not be restricted on Sahara, Desert Inn, Frank Sinatra, Koval, Russell, U.S. 95, and the 215 Beltway. Clean-up on the Strip will begin around 2 a.m. and it’s expected that full road access will begin to be restored around 3:15 a.m. If you plan on mingling with the throng on the Strip, be aware that large bags, backpacks, and metal and glass bottles are prohibited tonight. Added security will be in force to protect and keep order.
The Buffet at Bellagio has added the “Taste of Bellagio” line-up, featuring cuisine from four of the resort’s top restaurants: Lago, Harvest, Noodles, and Olives. It’s included in the regular buffet price.
Two security guards were killed last night while investigating a disturbance in a room at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur. The shooter attempted to escape into the surrounding neighborhood, but was discovered and shot himself. He is in critical condition and is not expected to survive.
Cris Justino is a -300 favorite over Holly Holm in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Khabib Nurmagomedov is -400 over Edson Barboza.
In today's Orange Bowl, Wisconsin is a -6.5 favorite over Miami Florida. The total is 45.5.
A new show called Renegades will open at Caesars Palace on January 25. Playing in Cleopatra’s Barge, the “interactive show” will star some combination of sports bad boys Jose Canseco, Jim McMahon, Terrell Owens, and Jimmy King. Your guess is as good as ours, but it sounds like a Mike Tyson Undisputed Truth type of format.
In today's Fiesta Bowl, Penn State is a -3 favorite over Washington. The total is 54.
In today's Liberty Bowl, Memphis is a -3.5 favorite over Iowa State. The total is 67.
In today's TaxSlayer Bowl, Louisville is a -6.5 favorite over Mississippi State. The total is 63.
The former pizza-maker at Evel Pie is opening a new pizzeria called Good Pie. It’s due to open in February at Pawn Plaza and will specialize in two styles: New York street pizza and Detroit square pizza (a la Buddy’s).
In today's Cotton Bowl, Ohio State is a -10 favorite over USC. The total is 65.
In today's Music City Bowl, Northwestern is a -8.5 favorite over Kentucky. The total is 50.5.
In today's Sun Bowl, North Carolina State is a -5.5 favorite over Arizona State. The total is 63.
The increased security presence planned for New Year’s Eve just got stronger with the announcement that snipers and spotters will be positioned in strategic spots above the crowd. Additionally, two drones will patrol above the Boulevard, allowing controllers to monitor suspicious activity and check windows in hotel towers. At street level, the installation of nearly 800 bollards (steel posts) between Tropicana and Spring Mountain has been completed. Both the Strip and downtown will be overflowing with revelers well past midnight.
In today's Belk Bowl, Wake Forest is a -4.5 favorite over Texas A&M. The total is 63.5.
In today's Holiday Bowl, Michigan State is a -2 favorite over Washington State. The total is 47.
In today's Alamo Bowl, TCU is a -3.5 favorite over Stanford. The total is 49.
A 227-foot high observation wheel has opened on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Though only about half as tall as Vegas’ High Roller, the Wheel at Steel Pier is still the third largest in the U.S. Tickets are $15 to ride for one16-minute revolution. The wheel is projected to draw 50,000 riders per month.
In today's Camping World Bowl, Oklahoma State is a -5 favorite over Virginia Tech. The total is 61.5.
In today's Military Bowl, Navy is a -2.5 favorite over Virginia. The total is 51.
This year's New Year's Eve fireworks show on the Strip will be themed "Midnight in Vegas," and emanate from the usual roster of rooftops -- MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, TI, the Venetian, and Stratosphere. The 8-minute show will be synced to several hit songs with a midnight theme, including "Rockin' at Midnight," Midnight Special," and "Living After Midnight." And remember the Strip will close at 5 p.m. this Sunday. Happy New Year and stay safe LVAer's.
In today's Texas Bowl, Missouri is a -3 favorite over Texas. The total is 62.5.
In today's Foster Farms Bowl, Arizona is a -2.5 favorite over Purdue. The total is 64.
Both Landry’s Seafood House across from Palace Station and the last of the Joe’s Crab Shack restaurants have closed. They’re the latest on a list of long-running non-casino-restaurant departures that also includes McCormick & Schmick’s and Roy’s.
In today's Pinstripe Bowl, Iowa is a -2 favorite over Boston College. The total is 46.5.
In today's Independence Bowl, Florida State is a -11 favorite over Southern Mississippi. The total is 49.5.
According to a Case-Shiller report released yesterday, the October rise in Las Vegas home prices over October 2016 was the second highest in the nation, at 10.2%. Only Seattle's prices rose higher, to 12.7%. San Diego's prices placed third, at 8.1%. Strong demand, shrinking supply, low mortgage interest rates, and consumer confidence were given as the reasons.
All bus rides in Las Vegas will be free from 6 p.m. December 31 to 9 a.m. January 1. For the rest of New Year's Day, the bus system will be on a Sunday schedule. In addition, the Las Vegas Monorail will run from 7 a.m. December 31 all the way through to 2 a.m. January 2; prices will be the same as always.
In today's Cactus Bowl, Kansas State is a -6 favorite over UCLA. The total is 58.5.
In today's Quick Lane Bowl, Duke is a -5 favorite over Northern Illinois. The total is 49.
In today's Heart of Dallas Bowl, Utah is a -6.5 favorite over West Virginia. The total is 56.
Station Casinos has opened two new Mexican restaurants. The first is Guadalajara, returning to Boulder Station after a 10-year absence when it was replaced by Cabo at both Boulder and Palace Station. The second is Culichi Town at Fiesta Rancho, offering both Mexican and Japanese cuisine.
In today's second NFL Christmas game, Philadelphia Eagles are -10 favorites over the Oakland Raiders. The total is 46.
In the first of two NFL Christmas games, the Pittsburgh Steelers are -10 favorites over the Houston Texans. The total is 45.5.
In the premier game of today's full slate of NBA games that matches last season's championship finalists, the Golden State Warriors are -5 favorites over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The total is 215.5.
Traditional Christmas dinners are being served in many of the buffets and restaurants and the sports books will be hopping with two important NFL games and the usual NBA line-up running throughout the day (check this space for lines on the marquee games). South Point is awarding 5X points on slots and 2X on video poker today. Station Casinos has 3.3X on slots and 2X on video poker.
Catch a cool 63-second promotion video for the new Park MGM (replacing Monte Carlo and opening in April) in which all the hotel-implosion ghosts of Las Vegas' past are run speeded up and in reverse. It's fun to watch all the demolished hotel towers rise from the smoke and dust.
A second location of Flock & Fowl has opened downtown at the Ogden. It’s open from 6 to 10 p.m., whereas the original on Sahara is open only for lunch. Specializing in Asian chicken dishes, both restaurants are run by the owners of Fat Choy at the Eureka, which has a 2-for-1 offer again in the 2018 Member Rewards Book.
This year's New Year's Eve fireworks show on the Strip will be themed "Midnight in Vegas," and emanate from the usual roster of rooftops -- MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace ,TI, the Venetian, and Stratosphere. The 8-minute show will be synced to several hit songs with a midnight theme, including "Rockin' at Midnight," Midnight Special," and "Living After Midnight."
Mindfreak Live! will close at Luxor in October, marking the end of a 10-year collaboration between Criss Angel and Cirque du Soleil. The production was originally called Believe, before being revamped and changing to Mindfreak Live! after early bad reviews.
Yesterday, Las Vegas tied the 63-year-old record for the longest period without rainfall at McCarran International Airport. The record of 101 straight days without rain was set in 1944. The city is certain to break the record today, with a 0% change of precipitation. And with no rain in sight in the 10-day forecast, the new record could be much longer.
The Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins came. The Stanley Cup finalist Nashville Predators came. The league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning came. And last night the back-to-back President Trophy Washington Capitals were here. They all left with lumps of coal in their Christmas stockings. Vegas shut out the Capitals at T-Mobile last night 3-0; they're now on a four-game winning streak, have won eight of their last nine, their record is 23-9-2, and they lead the Pacific Division. Read our blog post about the game -- and our posts about all the games -- here.
In today's Armed Forces Bowl, San Diego St. is a -6.5 favorite over Army. The total is 46.
Hard Rock is running a half-off dining special when you pay with club points through December 27. The offer is good in Mr. Lucky's, Pink Taco, Oyster Bar, Fu, and Goose Island Pub and does not include alcohol.
The bigger college football bowls featuring the nation's top teams begin today. In the Birmingham Bowl, South Florida is a -2.5 favorite over Texas Tech. The total is 66.
In today's Dollar General Bowl, Toledo is a -6.5 favorite over Appalachian St. The total is 61.
The list of offers in the 2018 Member Rewards Book has been posted. The best Las Vegas incentive package from any source and available only to Las Vegas Advisor members is another powerhouse, offering discounts on more than 60 buffets and restaurants; 33 matchplay, free-play, and other gambling bonuses; plus discounts on shows, rooms, attractions, and more. Check it out and join the club to save, and profit, throughout the new year.
The favorites went 14-0 in last week’s NFL schedule, only the third time that’s happened since 1970. That was bad news for the sports books as the public, as always, was backing the faves.
The “Neon” section in today’s LV Review-Journal lists five places to get homemade egg nog. Of course, Ellis Island heads the list, but the four other recommendations are new to us: Delmonico Steakhouse at the Venetian (NOLA Nog), Sage at Aria (made with absinthe), Winter’s Village at GVR (one of 12 Christmas Cocktails), and Cornerstone at Gold Coast (variation on a White Russian). All will presumably be available through the end of Christmas week.
All of the pedestrian bridges at Tropicana and the Strip are now open. The bridges have been in an under-construction rotation since May. The $34 million project was scheduled for completion in 2018, but sped up the timetable and opened today.
It's Christmas weekend and there are plenty of holiday activities to enjoy this weekend. Here are some of the highlights:
Penn National Gaming is buying Pinnacle Entertainment for $2.8 billion. Boyd Gaming is also involved in what is described as the biggest gaming deal since 2013, buying four Pinnacle casinos for $575 million. All of Pinnacle’s properties are outside of Nevada, making Penn Gaming the largest regional operator by property total, with 41 casinos in 20 jurisdictions. Penn owns M Resort and the Tropicana in Las Vegas.
The 2018 edition of Eating Las Vegas -- The 52 Essential Restaurants is in-house and shipping. This is a perfect stocking-stuffer that you can get now at ShopLVA.com for $12.99, including shipping. Authored this year by John Curtas alone, it's also available from most booksellers, including Amazon.
Last night's Vegas Golden Knights game at T-Mobile Arena against the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning was more like a playoff game than one less than halfway through the season. In Vegas' toughest test of its inaugural year, the VGK broke the tie with 2.3 seconds remaining. Read all about this epic contest here.
The long-running Auto Collections vintage-car museum and showroom at the LINQ will close on December 30. So if you want to buy the silver 1967 Ford Mustang fastback featured in the 2000 movie Gone in 60 Seconds with Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie for $1.25 million direct from the sales floor, you'll have to do so by a week from Saturday.
Lady Gaga announced today that she will engage in a Las Vegas residency, playing the Park Theater at Monte Carlo (soon to be Park MGM), but it won’t begin until December of 2018. The two-year residency will comprise at least 36 shows. In a Tweet disclosing the plans, she wrote “get ready for a brand new show.”
Skyline Casino on Boulder Hwy. has announced a $7 million expansion of its hotel. Less than a year after opening a 51-room tower, a second tower with 41 more rooms and a pool will be added. The project is expected to be completed before the end of 2018.
Last month a woman won an $800,000 jackpot at the Wildwood Casino in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Not necessarily big news, except that she also won $1 million in a 2007 Powerball lottery drawing. “I guess I’m just a lucky person,” she said. Ya think?
The Atlanta Falcons are -7 favorites over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in tonight's Monday Night Football game. The total is 49.5.
Does your pit boss seem a little cranky? It might be due to trouble at home. According to a report from 24/7 Wall St., casino gaming manager is at the top of the list of “jobs that take biggest toll on marriages,” logging a is.9% divorce rate. Number two on the list is bartender and number four was gaming service worker. Looks like the casino environment throws up lots of obstacles to wedded bliss.
Two of the starting players of the Vegas Golden Knights NHL hockey team, defenseman Brayden McNabb and right wing Alex Tuch, will make an appearance to meet fans and sign autographs in the Toyota Yard at Top Golf this Thursday, December 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Top Golf is located at 4627 Koval Lane, behind MGM Grand.
The NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas' first major league sports team, won its 21st game last night against the Florida Panthers. They overcame a Panther lead of 2-0 to win the game 5-2, bringing their overall record to 21-9-2 and their record at home at T-Mobile Arena to an amazing 13-2-1. They're also 6-1-1 so far in December. Read all about this game -- and all the games -- at our insider's blog.
The Dallas Cowboys are -2.5 favorites over the Oakland Raiders in tonight's Sunday Night Football game. The total is 46.
As is its tradition during the holidays, almost everything is half price at South Point when you pay with club points today through December 24. This includes all restaurants and bars, rooms, shows, bingo, bowling, movies, and the gift shop. Additionally, all drinks are just $2 at the bars unless you use points, in which case they're $1.
A new Tru by Hilton hotel has opened near McCarran International Airport. The 166-room non-casino hotel is the largest in the Tru brand.
Rafael dos Anjos and Robbie Lawler are pick 'em in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Ricardo Lamas is -260 over Josh Emmett.
The first games of the college football bowl season kick off today. We'll be putting up lines on the biggest games in this space through the National Championship game. In today's Las Vegas Bowl, Oregon is a -7 favorite over Boise State. The total is 62.
With Thursday night's victory over the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh Penguins, the Vegas Golden Knights' overall record is now 20-9-2. Their 20 wins for the season breaks a 100-year-old record in the National Hockey League: an expansion team in its inaugural season recording 20 wins in just 31 games. Former Penguin James Neal scored the game's first goal (the VGK are 14-1-0 when scoring first) and former Penguin Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced to win the game 2-1. If you haven't been following the Golden Knights amazing run, you can read an insider's blog on this site after every game.
A new PT's Gold has opened at 8275 Ft. Apache, just north of Wigwam. It's the 56th in the PT's group to open in Las Vegas.
The Mad Onion restaurant has closed at Hooters and will be replaced by a Steak 'n Shake. It's the third Steak 'n Shake in Las Vegas, joining its predecessors at South Point and on the UNLV campus, and a fourth is planned for Henderson. The opening date of the Hooters location has not been announced.
Steve Wynn has purchased the parcel across the Strip from Wynn Las Vegas that was formerly the New Frontier and was supposed to be the site of Crown Resorts' Alon. In a complicated deal that involves additional land not owned by Crown, Wynn acquired 38 acres for $336 million. The Alon site was purchased for $1.2 billion in 2007 by a group out of Israel that intended to build a resort called the Plaza. No immediate plans for the parcel were announced and nothing near-term is expected given Wynn's full plate of development in Las Vegas and Boston.
According to an article in today’s LV Review-Journal, work on the former Fontainebleau may begin soon. We say former, as the resort is now being referred to as Project Blue. While plans for the tower still haven’t been revealed, permits have been taken out to bring construction materials onto the site.
Google has released its most-populated search-term lists for 2017. In the Global News category, ranked third out of 15 categories in importance behind the Search and People categories, the Las Vegas shooting placed third out of five. Number one for Global News was Hurricane Irma, which also placed number one on the general Search list, followed by Bitcoin, the shooting, North Korea, and the solar eclipse.
A new show from the producers of Absinthe is on its way to the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Opium, debuting at Cosmo with previews on March 13, is sure to be another avant garde production – or at least it’s being promoted as such. A press release says, “This is the show that Elon Musk will want to take to Mars.”
The schedule for the 2018 World Series of Poker has been released. The meet will begin May 30 and run through July 17. The biggest news is that there will be no break in the Main Event, which will now play all the way through to a champion. Last year there was a two-day break before final-table play, following nine years of delaying the final table until November. There will be nine new events and the tournament will conclude with the $1 million buy-in “Big One for One Drop.”
The former San Antonio Stars of the WNBA will now be the Las Vegas Aces. Owner MGM Resorts International chose the name that was one of the frontrunners for the hockey team that settled on the Golden Knights. The Aces will begin play as a Las Vegas team in the upcoming season.
The beginning of Hanukkah will be commemorated today with a Grand Menorah lighting at the Fremont Street Experience. The ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. and the 20-foot-tall menorah will stay in place throughout the holiday. Winter’s Village at Green Valley Ranch will also have a menorah lighting today at 5 p.m. Suncoast’s St. Tropez buffet will serve a Hanukkah menu through December 20, featuring gefilte fish, stuffed cabbage, tzimmes, kugel, potato latkes, smoked whitefish, and matzo ball soup for $12.99 (with club card) Sun.-Thurs. and $21.99 on the weekend. Hard Rock has a $49 Hanukkah special today only in MB Steak.
A new retail and office plaza has been announced for the southwest corner of the valley, across the street from the giant Ikea store. Plans call for the 200,000-square-foot complex to include a five-story office building and 13-screen theater complex. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2019.
The New England Patriots are -10 favorites over the Miami Dolphins in tonight's Monday Night Football game. The total is 48.
After 34 years, North Las Vegas’ Cashman Center will close on Tuesday. Over the years, the 1,900-seat theater has hosted touring Broadway plays, the MDA telethon, and even the 2008 Democratic Primary debate. It was also the venue for numerous tradeshows and graduation ceremonies. Plans for the space adjacent to Cashman Field have not been disclosed.
The new location of Lotus of Siam will finally open today at 620 E. Flamingo. Lotus has been closed since September, when the roof collapsed at the original Commercial Center restaurant, which continues to be repaired and is expected to reopen around February. The Thai restaurant, considered among the best on the west coast, is so well known in Las Vegas that the opening was a front-page story in today's LV Review-Journal.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are -5.5 favorites over the Baltimore Ravens in tonight's Sunday Night Football game. The total is 42.5.
Locals get 50% off rides on the High Roller wheel until Dec. 30 with code HRLOCAL. And beginning Dec. 16, ages 12 and under ride free. Sounds like a pretty good family parlay.
Jenifer Lopez is also set to leave, but not for several months. The final performance of Jennifer Lopez: All I Have at Planet Hollywood has been announced for September 29, 2018.
The show Circus 1903 will conclude its run at Paris on January 7. This is an excellent show that you should try to see before it leaves. It ran a limited engagement of only six months and will embark on an international tour in February.
Cub Swanson and Brian Ortega are pick 'em in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Jason Knight is -300 over Gabriel Benitez.
Another $1 beer deal has hit the Strip. Rockhouse at the Venetian has initiated a new happy hour featuring $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon. The HH runs Mon.-Fri. from 4 to 7 p.m.
Vasyl Lomachenko is a -350 favorite over Guillermo Rigondeaux in tonight's World Championship boxing match. The round total is 10.5 with over the -150 favorite. Both boxers were two-time Olympic champions, making this one of the most anticipated fights of the year.
According to the bookies, you might as well hand college football’s Heisman Trophy to Baker Mayfield right now. Mayfield is such an overwhelming favorite, most offshore books aren't even posting a line and the only one we’ve seen is -50000 (bet $500 to win $1). Lamar Jackson is +18000 and Bryce Love is +22500.
An ad in yesterday's “Neon” section of the LV Review-Journal had a code that locals can use to get 50% off tickets for the new show, Masters of Illusion, at Bally’s. The ad says to use NEON50 at the box office, online, or by phone. There is no specification that you have to produce the ad to get the discount. Different deals have different rules, so ask if you qualify if you're not a local.
The Palms has announced that its new buffet will debut on December 22. Formerly announced as "Haute Plates," the name will be "A.Y.C.E. Buffet." It sounds like a good one, featuring seven food stations that include the "Hearth" (brick oven), "World Pan" (Asian/Indian influence), and "Revival" (wellness/power boosting) stations. Yum! Prices have not been announced.
An ordinance passed by the Clark County Commissioners took effect on November 21 that makes it a misdemeanor to feed feral pigeons in the county, which includes the Las Vegas Strip. This new crime is punishable by a fine of $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail, though it's expected that a first offense will receive a warning. The law was implemented to try to deal with the nuisance of flocks damaging landmarks and buildings with their droppings, which are acidic. Similar bans are in place in Venice, Italy, and London.
The National Finals Rodeo began yesterday and runs through Dec. 16. Rodeo-centric casinos include the D, Gold Coast, Orleans, South Point, Red Rock, Santa Fe Station, Palace Station, the Plaza, and Silverton.
The Denver Broncos are -3 favorites over the Indianapolis Colts in tonight's Thursday Night Football game. The total is 41.
Lyft, the ride-share company, compiles an annual list of the most visited destinations in 32 major U.S. cities, including Las Vegas. The "Lyfties" are based on the most requested destinations by Lyft's riders. Of Las Vegas' six awards, Reef Dispensary, on Western Avenue in back of Fashion Show Mall, was named Las Vegas' top "Trending Destination." The others include In-N-Out Burger (the most visited restaurant for the second year in a row), TopGolf (most visited bar), Fremont Street Experience (most visited venue), Fashion Show Mall ("Only in Las Vegas"), and UNLV (most visited university).
Las Vegas medical examiners have determined that comic Ralphie May's death was from heart failure due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure). He'd also been fighting pneumonia, which caused the cancellation of several appearances at Harrah's. Ralphie, who took second place in "Last Comic Standing" in 2003, was 45 and is survived by his wife and two children.
Tonight's performance of Lionel Richie - All the Hits at Planet Hollywood has been canceled. A statement indicates that Richie needed to go home to California to aid family endangered by the wildfires. He's expected to return for this weekend's performances. Tickets for tonight's show are being refunded at the original point of purchase.
According to Zillow, Las Vegas is projected to have the fastest-rising home values in the country in 2018. The estimated increase of 5.9% is close to double the projected national average of 3.1%. In a separate study, Las Vegas home prices were up 8.6% year-over-year in August, second only to Seattle’s 13.2%.
Online gamblers in New Jersey can now bet on virtual sports events on the PlaySugarHouse.com system. Outcomes are not based on active live sports events (it’s more like a big Derby game), but it’s another step toward live sports betting. Betting on virtual sports has already proved popular in Europe.
For the fourth year in a row, Tao Asian Bistro at the Venetian was the top-grossing independent restaurant in the U.S. according to Restaurant Business Magazine. Its $42 million in sales topped runner-up Joe’s Stone Crab (Miami Beach) by $5 million. Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace (17th) was the only other Las Vegas restaurant on in the Top 20.
As of December 1, Vietnamese citizens can now gamble in the country’s casinos. To qualify, customers must show that they are at a minimum income level and only specified casinos are authorized to accept them.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are -4.5 favorites over the Cincinnati Bengals in tonight's Monday Night Football game. The total is 42.5.
Early reactions to today’s Supreme Court proceedings over the New Jersey sports betting case are that the court isn’t tipping its hand. Based on post-argument questioning, however, the prevailing thought appears to be that it’s leaning New Jersey’s way. As expected, sports betting wasn't focal in the discussions, as most of the concerns centered on states rights, on which the betting prohibitions potentially impinge.
The Supreme Court of the United States will hear arguments today in the New Jersey case that could lead to legalized sports betting nationwide. While it's among the biggest events ever in the gambling industry, nothing much will be revealed today. The proceedings will last only a couple of hours and a decision isn't expected for several months.
The Philadelphia Eagles are -3.5 favorites over the Seattle Seahawks in tonight's Sunday Night Football game. The total is 47.
Lucky Dragon celebrates its first anniversary today with a full slate of celebrations inside the casino. Free T-shirts will be handed out beginning at noon and 2-for-1 dining specials are available in Phoenix.
The college football playoff teams have been announced with Clemson the number-one seed, followed by Oklahoma, Georgia, and Alabama. The lines opened Oklahoma -3 over Georgia and Alabama -1 over Clemson.
Max Holloway is a -300 favorite over Jose Aldo in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Francis Ngannou is -235 over Alistair Overeem.
If you see a few thousand Santas on foot today, don’t be alarmed. The Great Santa Run to benefit Opportunity Village began today at 10 a.m. The 5K and mile (walk) courses traversed by runners in Santa garb are located in the downtown area, so traffic won’t be affected in other parts of the city.
The Triple Double Bonus Spin Poker that was the likely game played by Strip shooter Stephen Paddock at Mandalay Bay has been removed. The TDB game returns 99.58% with perfect play and was available on $5 machines. Currently the best game at all denoms is 8/5 Bonus Poker, returning 99.17%.
Visitor volume was down 4.2% in October, a relatively steep decline that's being attributed to cancellations and postponements of trips following the Oct. 1 Strip shooting. The result isn't as bad as originally anticipated, but it contradicts early reports that there had been almost no effect.
It’s only talk at this point, but Richard Branson’s Virgin Group announced that it’s exploring opportunities in Las Vegas and is specifically interested in acquiring an existing property. It makes sense given the business that Virgin’s airline and other hospitality arms already do in Las Vegas.
“America’s Got Talent” kicked off the talent search for its 13th season last month and Las Vegas is one of nine cities where producers will be looking for the best amateur acts in the country. Open-call auditions will be held at the Rio on Wednesday December 13th. Acts of all ages and any talent can register here to audition at the Rio. (Acts not able to make it to one of the cities can submit an online audition video through the website.)